Mexicali Blues

It's probably no surprise to you that the most popular drink at Mexicali Blues Mexican Restaurant & Cantina happens to be the best margaritas at the Lake of the Ozarks . We say margaritas, plural, because in addition to our famous house margarita, we've got an extremely long list of irresistible specialty margaritas as well. That's one of the reasons that tequila also happens to be a very popular liquor around here. That, plus the wide array of impressive types of tequila that we keep behind the bar. Today, we're taking a look at some very interesting facts about the one and only tequila. Here's what we discovered.  #1)  Tequila is mezcal, but mezcal is not tequila . Say what? That may sound confusing, but it really isn't. Mezcal is a liquor that is made from the maguey plant, which is a form of agave. While mezcal can be made using a variety of agave plants, tequila can only be made with blue agave.  #2)  Tequila must be made of at least 51% blue agave.  ...

Tequila is very important to us here at Mexicali Blues in Osage Beach. After all, it is the main ingredient in the best margaritas at the Lake of the Ozarks .  We keep an extensive variety of tasty tequilas behind the bar. Most people assume that all tequilas are pretty much the same, but each one is slightly different than the next. There are actually a lot of facts about tequila that true connoisseurs know to be false. Today's blog is here to educate you by debunking a few of those tequila myths.  Tequila is made all over the world. NOPE! Champagne made anyplace other than Champagne, France, is actually just sparkling wine. In a similar fashion, if you want authentic tequila, it must be made in Mexico. More specifically, it has to come from a delineated part of Mexico that is centered in the state of Jalisco. Any "tequila" made outside of these designated areas is technically referred to as an agave spirit.   Tequila comes from a cactus. UH-UH!  T...

Tequila is a very popular spirit here at Mexicali Blues . Mostly because it is the main ingredient in the best margaritas at the Lake of the Ozarks , but also because we carry a wonderful variety of different tequilas behind the bar.  If you aren't a tequila connoisseur, there's a good chance you've heard some things about this wonderful liquor that simply aren't true. Today's blog will debunk a few of those silly myths and possibly give you a new appreciation for tequila.    Tequila is made all over the world. Just like authentic champagne must be made in Champagne, France (otherwise it is sparkling wine,) true tequila must be made in specific areas of Mexico. More specifically, it has to come from a delineated part of Mexico that is centered in the state of Jalisco. Types of "tequila" made outside of these designated areas are actually referred to as an agave spirit.   Tequila is made from a cactus. Tequila is made from the blue agave plant....

It should come as no surprise to you that tequila is our favorite liquor at Mexicali Blues . That's the wonderful liquid that allows us to create the best margaritas at the Lake of the Ozarks ! Tequila is a very interesting drink, and we even learned a couple of new facts while researching this story for you. Take a look:  - Tequila is mezcal, but mezcal is not tequila . Say what? That may sound confusing, but it really isn't. Mezcal is a liquor that is made from the maguey plant, which is a form of agave. While mezcal can be made using a variety of agave plants, tequila can only be made with blue agave.  - Tequila must be made of at least 51% blue agave. Not only must tequila be made from only blue agave, that ingredient must make up at least 51% of the recipe. If it is made with 100% blue agave, it is a true tequila, and between 51%-99% it is technically called a mixto tequila.   -  There are no worms in tequila. You've all heard the stories a...

There are so many different brands of tequila available, it can be difficult to know which one to choose. We offer a wide variety behind our Lake of the Ozarks Mexican restaurant bar , and our bartender is always happy to point you in the right direction. Today's blog might also be of some assistance the next time you want to try a new tequila in your Mexcali Blues margarita.  2 Tequila Categories The main types of tequila are split into two different categories before being divided into types: 100% Agave and Tequila Mixto . The 100% Agave is made with all Blue Agave, but Tequila Mixto only has to contain at least 51% Blue Agave in the ingredients. The other 49% is made up from other sugars, and additional things such as caramel color, oak extract flavoring, glycerin, and sugar based syrup may be used in the recipe.  While true tequila must be made only in certain parts of Mexico, Tequila Mixto can be bottled anywhere since 2006. If a tequila is 100% Agave, it will al...

July 24 is National Tequila Day, and we can't wait to celebrate with you at Mexicali Blues! It's no secret that we LOVE tequila at Lake of the Ozarks' best Mexican restaurant . Whether you're enjoying it in a shot or in one of our world famous margaritas, there is no better place to celebrate National Tequila Day than Mexicali Blues! - Tequila is a mezcal, but mezcal is not tequila. A bit confusing, we know, but mezcal is a liquor made from the maguey plant, which is a form of agave. Mezcal can be made using a variety of agave plants, but tequila must be made using only blue agave. - Tequila must be made of at least 51% blue agave. While mezcal can be made from 100s of different agave varieties, tequila must contain at least 51% of blue agave, and many believe it should be 100%. Tequila that isn't 100% blue agave are called mixto. - Tequila isn't made from cactus. Many believe the agave plant is a cactus, however, it's not, it's actually part o...